Promises made - Chief Theresa Spence’s hunger strike focuses attention on the Crown’s not keeping faith with the first nations that entered into historic

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, Jan 9, 2013

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"Promises made - Chief Theresa Spence�s hunger strike focuses attention on
the Crown�s not keeping faith with the first nations that entered into
historic treaties with the Crown (First Nations Bringing Treaty-Rights
Challenge To The Courts � Jan. 8).
Unfortunately, the track record of broken promises continues in relation to
aboriginal peoples who are partners with the Crown in modern treaties that
cover Arctic and sub-Arctic Canada. For example, in 2006, Nunavut Inuit
were forced to sue the Crown for numerous fundamental breaches of the 1993
Nunavut Agreement. These breaches involve, among other things, denial of
economic opportunities, inadequate pre-employment training, and lack of
environmental monitoring � all critical to Nunavut Inuit achieving greater
self-sufficiency, a central objective the agreement. Inuit brought this
lawsuit after the Crown unilaterally withdrew from negotiations, rejected
offers to arbitrate, and refused to respond to the recommendations of an
outside conciliator. We have won a summary judgment on one specific breach
of our agreement, and our litigation continues.
In our experience of broken promises under our modern treaty, Nunavut Inuit
are far from alone. Such problems are so prevalent, a coalition uniting all
modern treaty groups has been established precisely for the purpose of
having those treaties appropriately honoured. It is time to learn from
history, rather than repeat its mistakes. Promises made must be promises
kept."
Cathy Towtongie, president, Nunavut Tunngavikhttp://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/letters/jan-9-promises-made-to-first-nations-and-other-letters-to-the-editor/article7063446/

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